Carriage Trade, a mainstay in Toronto’s fashion retail scene since 1963, is embarking on a bold new chapter that fuses its rich history with a forward-thinking vision. Located in the heart of The Kingsway at 2984 Bloor Street West, the upscale women’s boutique is launching a Canadian Designer Program in collaboration with the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). The initiative aims to give emerging and established Canadian designers a chance to connect directly with customers in a luxury retail environment.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for years,” said Nori Mirza, owner of Carriage Trade. “It gives deeper meaning to the work we do. Fashion can be superficial, but this allows us to do something impactful — to support Canadian talent and really give back.”
Creating Space for Canadian Talent
The Canadian Designer Program, which will be accepting applications as of May 1 for its second round, will showcase selected designers at the front of the newly expanded boutique in a dedicated space being referred to as the “Canadian Spotlight.” According to Mirza, the idea took root during a dinner with Susan Langdon, Executive Director of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, last October.
“I told Susan that every time I’m shown collections as a buyer, it’s always the big international names with PR budgets,” said Mirza. “The Canadian designers are often hidden away in the back. I said, ‘What can we do to change that?’”
Langdon, who also teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University, saw the opportunity right away. She had already been fielding requests from students and alumni who were struggling to get their collections in front of buyers.
“We knew the demand was there. So Susan and I hosted a webinar, and we had about 30 designers attend,” said Mirza. “The response has been incredible. People are excited — customers, designers, even other retailers.”
Who Can Apply and What’s Expected
The program is primarily focused on better-quality women’s ready-to-wear fashion and accessories. Interested designers must be Canadian-based and capable of producing high-quality garments or jewelry at a scale appropriate for retail. The program is open to both emerging and established labels.
“We’ve had some really interesting questions already,” noted Mirza. “Some asked if we’d consider menswear — not at the moment — or whether items need to be entirely made in Canada. For us, it’s about quality, fit, and the ability to actually produce inventory.”
Designers selected will have the opportunity to be featured in-store and online, with Carriage Trade also planning launch parties and community events to further promote their collections.
“We’re having beautiful custom jewelry cases made, and we’ve seen some incredible jewelry designers apply,” said Mirza. “There’s so much talent in this country, and we’re thrilled to give it the spotlight it deserves.”
Designers interested in applying can do so via the application link available on Carriage Trade’s website. The team extnded the application deadline to ensure wide participation and give designers enough time to prepare submissions.
Why Supporting Canadian Designers Matters Now
In light of ongoing economic uncertainty, high import duties, tariffs and supply chain volatility, Carriage Trade sees the Canadian Designer Program as not only timely but essential.
“With the way the world is right now — the economy, the exchange rate, shipping costs — supporting homegrown talent just makes sense,” said Mirza. “But beyond that, it just feels right. After COVID, and now everything else, people want to come together. They want to support local. This is part of that movement.”
Mirza also emphasized that this isn’t just a one-off initiative. “This is an ongoing program. We’re thinking of it as Season One. Our hope is to rotate designers every two months, showcasing six or more designers per year, depending on how many styles and SKUs they can produce.”
Building a Model for Other Retailers
Mirza hopes the Canadian Designer Program at Carriage Trade will inspire other independent retailers across Canada to follow suit.
“There’s no reason why this can’t be happening in Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary — anywhere, really,” she said. “We need to come together as an industry and give Canadian designers a real platform. Sometimes, all they need is for someone to take five minutes and look at their books. That could change everything.”
The new space at Carriage Trade is being designed with versatility and elegance in mind, ensuring the Canadian Spotlight section can adapt to a rotating lineup of designers. Meanwhile, the store’s website is also undergoing a revamp to support online promotion and sales of featured Canadian brands.
“We want to give these designers as much visibility as possible — not just in-store, but online too,” said Mirza. “We’re building something that will last.”
Final Thoughts and What’s Next
With more than 60 years of retail experience behind it, Carriage Trade is well positioned to lead a new wave of locally driven luxury retail in Canada. The boutique’s commitment to nurturing Canadian design talent signals a meaningful evolution — one that blends fashion with purpose.
“We survived COVID. We’ve weathered many storms. And now, more than ever, we feel it’s time to give back,” said Mirza. “This program is a way to do that — and hopefully help build a stronger future for Canadian fashion.”
Interested designers can apply as of May 1, 2025, via Carriage Trade’s website.
